Abstract: A ratchet wrench is described which includes a cap-surmounted core having a rotatable body sleeved in a drive ring. A shiftable pawl intercouples the drive ring and the core for driving the core selectively in each of opposed annular driving modes. A shaft projecting axially from the core terminates in a stud for carrying a tool element. The wrench is characterized in that there is provided a washer-like locking plate having a central opening and positionable axially over the shaft of the core to overlie the body of the core. The plate is configured at its central opening for lockingly keying with the shaft releasably to couple the locking plate with the shaft and to secure the core in the drive ring.

Abstract: A ratchet wrench in which the body and an integrally formed handle are of molded plastics material. The body includes a head formed with an opening which contains the ratchet mechanism. A metal bar embedded in the handle during the plastics molding process substantially enhances the physical strength of the wrench, and metal clamp plates overlying and seated in recesses in opposed principal surfaces of the wrench are bolted to each other, and are coupled to internal core components in the head of the wrench to secure the ratchet mechanism in place. The metal bar in the handle imparts structural stability and integrity as well as increased mechanical strength to the composite assembly.

Abstract: A ratchet wrench including a handle-carried drive ring and driven core in which the core can be simply and readily removed, intact, for cleaning, repair and replacement without the use of tools. Additionally, the wrench includes a low-friction ratchet drive-reversing mechanism for simple, one-finger operation. The disassembly-facilitating structure includes a resilient ring-like band seated in a channel defined by radially communicating annular grooves in the drive ring and in the wrench core. A band displacing element serves to shift the band to effect a bridging of the band across the grooves defining the channel to effect a mechanical intercoupling between the core and the drive ring of the ratchet wrench.

Abstract: A packaging assembly in which hardware items such as hand tools are secured in place on a supporting base or board by means of skin packing techniques, the final package to be inserted into a container such as a metal tool box. The invention is characterized in that the skin packing is carried out so that the bonding of the overlying film is effected in opposed marginal areas, these areas then being folded underneath the supporting board on which the tools are secured so that, in the final assembly, which is to be inserted in a tool box, there is no "waste" space, the entire floor area being occupied by tool elements.